The Rockweed Coalition

Welcome to The Rockweed Coalition!

Cobscook Bay, a sheltered, macrotidal estuary near the US-Canadian border, has been studied for some 200 years by naturalists and scientists because of its outstanding biodiversity. In fact, Cobscook Bay has the highest biodiversity of any area on the eastern seaboard of the United States north of the tropics.

Rockweed harvesting can dramatically affect the organisms that rely on shelter that rockweed provides.

Local [rockweed] harvesting has decreased intertidal rockweed habitat and possibly species diversity.

Sector and Protected Lands Map (Maine Coast Heritage Trust; June 2010) shows rockweed sectors and all lands in Cobscook Bay where rockweed cutting is prohibited (Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §6803-C). This map also shows Rockweed Registry lands where landowners do not want their rockweed cut.

Please complete this form to list your land on the Rockweed Registry and stop rockweed cutting on your property.

Mission: The Rockweed Coalition is a coalition of citizens working to promote conservation of intertidal marine habitat, and to end commercial cutting and removal of rockweed (the intertidal seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum) until studies can demonstrate that cutting rockweed does not harm the ecosystem.

What is rockweed, and why is it important to conserve rockweed?

Functions and values of rockweeds
What are the known impacts of rockweed cutting?
Critical gaps in our knowledge of rockweed harvesting (from research symposium, University of Maine, Feb. 10, 2010; see links below)
Fish species that use rockweed
Cobscook Bay is a biodiversity “hotspot”
Photos of damage and short cuts from 2009

Latest news:

2010 ROCKWEED CUTTING, COBSCOOK BAY
Please see the sector map for sector locations.

North American Kelp: Plan for cutting in inner Cobscook Bay: Dennysville, Edmunds, Pembroke, Trescott
Sectors: A-28, A-25, A-36, A-35 and A-34.

Includes: Denny's Bay near Dennysville, Pembroke near Reversing Falls, Trescott (Crowe’s Neck, Raft Cove), Carryingplace Cove, Timber Cove, Weir Cove) and points in between.

Methods: Mechanical harvester, Hand raking
Acadian Seaplants, Ltd.: Plan for cutting in Lubec, Perry, Eastport, Pembroke
Sectors: A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, A-16, A-19, A-20, A-21

Includes: North Lubec, area of Carryingplace Cove (Eastport); Perry (Birch Point, Pattangall Cove, Leach Point, Sipp Bay); Pembroke (Garnet Point, Hersey Neck, Sipp Bay)

Method: Hand raking
George Harris Jr.: Plan for cutting in Perry and Eastport
Sectors: A-13, A-14, A-15, A-17, A-18

Includes: Eastport (Broad Cove, Deep Cove, Carryingplace Cove area, Half Moon Cove, Bar Harbor)

Methods: Mechanical harvester, Hand raking
Patrick Driscoll: Plan for cutting in Lubec, Pembroke, Trescott
Sectors: A-7, A-6, A-24

Includes: North Lubec, Denbow Neck, Morrison Cove, Nutter Cove, Coffin’s Neck, Straight Bay, Reversing Falls, Long Cove, Schooner Cove, Leighton Point, Crowe’s Neck

Methods: Mechanical harvester, Hand raking

February 10th, 2010: Rockweed Research Priorities Symposium Summary, including powerpoint presentations

Critical gaps in our knowledge of rockweed harvesting (from the Feb. 10 symposium):

1. What is a sustainable harvest level?

2. How do we define "recovery" in this species?

3. What are the long-term effects of harvesting rockweed?

4. How much habitat loss/change in structure is too much?

January 11th, 2010: Marine Resources Committee: Work Session on Cobscook Bay Rockweed Management law scheduled at noon. State House, Augusta, Maine.

January 6th, 2010: Rockweed Coalition coverage on the CBC's Maritime Noon show. Scroll to the second show topic.

December 16th, 2009: Department of Marine Resources Marine Advisory Council votes to set the seaweed buyer surcharge at $1.50 per wet ton, which was the amount proposed by DMR and members of the seaweed cutting industry. Comments submitted.

June 8th, 2009: ROCKWEED MANAGEMENT LAW IN COBSCOOK BAY signed by Gov. Baldacci.

Report unwanted harvesting or harvesting in conservation areas toll free: 1-888-4ROKWEED (1-888-476-5933)